Nangong Mo was not one to easily yield.
She had heard that Nangong Mo’s least favorite pastry was the Matsutake Fruitless Cake.
Even though she disliked eating it, she still often had it prepared.
Wasn’t it just to use this pastry to annoy people?
The main ingredient of the Matsutake Fruitless Cake was the heartless fruit, which was also a way to insinuate that she was a heartless person.
Gu Qianying lay on the chaise lounge, her eyes closed in thought.
If she wanted Nangong Xuanning to enter the game, she had to first make her visit this place. And only Nangong Mo could achieve this effortlessly, while also making Nangong Xuanning come willingly.
However, if she made this request, she thought, with Nangong Mo’s intelligence, she would surely guess what she was planning.
She would also realize that she had deliberately angered him today.
In that case, he wouldn’t be angry anymore.
When Bai Qi returned to report, he had told the truth, but he was also afraid of being blamed by his master, so he had altered the report slightly.
“Master, Miss Gu really likes the pastries you sent. She also said that she felt your thoughtfulness and that you are so good to her, she is truly happy. If Princess could see how happy she is, that would be even better, after all, she is extremely happy to make her love rival jealous.”
Nangong Mo raised an eyebrow: “Did that girl really say that?”
Bai Qi nodded his head vigorously: “Your subordinate dares not deceive Master.”
Nangong Mo looked at Bai Qi.
Bai Qi felt a little guilty, his head lowering further and further.
“In that case, grant that girl’s wish. Have the imperial guards in the palace spread the word that Miss Gu has been imprisoned for poisoning her aunt, Madam Meng. The Princess will surely come to mock her when she hears about it. Remember, we must have our people describe Miss Gu Qianying as pitiful as possible, as pitiful as can be. Do you understand?”
Bai Qi accepted the order: “Yes, your subordinate obeys.”
As Bai Qi was about to leave, he was suddenly called back by Nangong Mo.
“After you finish, come back to receive your punishment!”
Bai Qi slipped and almost fell.
Du Chun quickly steadied him.
Bai Qi asked with a mournful face: “Did I do something wrong?”
Du Chun punched him: “Do you think your master is so easily fooled?”
Bai Qi scratched his head: “Master doesn’t believe what I said? If he doesn’t believe me, why didn’t he expose me?”
Du Chun took out a silver snake from his sleeve and casually tossed it into Bai Qi’s arms: “In terms of IQ, you are far inferior to it. Why don’t you recognize it as your master and let it teach you how to improve your IQ?”
With that, Du Chun turned and left.
Bai Qi jumped up in fright, shouting: “Du Chun, ahhh, you scoundrel, hurry and take this thing away, I’m scared!”
The next day.
Just as Gu Qianying was estimating that Nangong Xuanning would appear in another fifteen minutes,
Nangong Xuanning indeed appeared.
When she arrived, she brought several guards with her in a grand display! She and her maids seemed afraid that others wouldn’t recognize her identity.
The prison in the yamen held prisoners who had committed offenses but were not extremely important. If Nangong Xuanning had come in plain clothes, few people would have recognized her.
Now, the jailers and yamen runners guarding the prison gate were kneeling on the ground, and the county magistrate stood timidly beside them. Nangong Xuanning looked at Gu Qianying, who was lying on the chaise lounge in the prison cell, and said haughtily: “Gu Qianying, I truly never expected you to end up like this today, haha, seeing you so pathetic today makes me very happy, ha!”
Gu Qianying turned her back to her and said lazily: “This chaise lounge is indeed worthy of Ninth Imperial Uncle’s intimate belongings. Look, it’s so comfortable to lie on.”
This one sentence enraged Nangong Xuanning.
“Ahhh, what? Something Ninth Imperial Uncle gave you? So, the rumor that he spent the night with you is true?”
Nangong Xuanning kicked open the prison door and strode in. As she spoke, she had already reached Gu Qianying and blocked her view.
She was as angry as an offended kitten.
Gu Qianying slowly got up, not leaving the chaise lounge: “Of course, it’s true. He also said that after the bet between your Highness and I begins, he will personally be there to watch. What will he watch? He said he’ll watch who wins, and the winner will be his future Ninth Imperial Consort.”
“Really? Did Ninth Imperial Uncle really say that?” Nangong Xuanning was startled at first, then she put her hands on her hips and glared at Gu Qianying: “Gu Qianying, in the future, when I bet with you, you will lose! Hmph, just you wait and see!”
Gu Qianying let out an “aiyah” and continued along with Nangong Xuanning’s words: “Losing is inevitable. Who asked this subject to be a suspect who can’t even protect herself? Being locked up in this dark prison every day, how can I participate in the triennial disciple recruitment ceremony of the Poisonous Doctor’s Pavilion a month later? Alas, this subject can only forfeit this bet.”
“No! You can’t forfeit. I want to win honorably. I want Ninth Imperial Uncle to see who is qualified to be his Ninth Imperial Consort.” Nangong Xuanning pointed at Gu Qianying: “You come with me now, I will protect you these few days.”
Gu Qianying looked troubled: “Absolutely not, Your Highness. This subject did not poison Madam Meng. This subject is framed. If I leave with Your Highness at this moment, it will look like I am fleeing from justice. This subject absolutely cannot do this.”
Gu Qianying spoke slowly and deliberately, but Nangong Xuanning was losing patience: “This won’t do, that won’t do either. Tell me, what exactly needs to be done to get you out?”
“Clear my name and let me leave with a clean slate, then this subject will not delay the bet with Your Highness.”
“I am not the Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision, how can I clear your name?”
Gu Qianying got off the chaise lounge, went to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, and took a sip: “This matter still requires Your Highness’s assistance.”
“How can I assist?” Nangong Xuanning did not understand.
Gu Qianying looked at the guards and maids outside the prison door, but did not speak.
Nangong Xuanning followed her gaze, then ordered the guards and maids: “All of you, get out! I want to talk to Gu Qianying alone.”
…
A moment later.
Nangong Xuanning left the yamen prison with a group of people.
As soon as she left, Crown Prince Nan Rongqi, accompanied by his personal eunuch, entered the prison in disguise.
Gu Qianying did not expect Nan Rongqi to visit her.
Even less did she expect Nan Rongqi’s purpose in visiting her was to propose marriage to help her through this difficult time.
At the same time, Nan Rongqi also informed her of the situation regarding her grandfather and elder brother Gu Yefeng in the past two days.
After she was framed and imprisoned, her grandfather, Old General Gu, went into the palace that day to meet the Emperor.
He originally wanted to take the initiative by bringing her back under the pretext of negligence, then suppressing the case due to Madam Meng’s accidental death.
Finally, he would handle the case personally behind closed doors.
In this way, her grandfather could do his utmost to protect her.
However, those in the court who wished to harm her grandfather used the incident of the disappearance of grain and fodder sent to the front-line army camp during her grandfather’s time leading troops to battle as an excuse to falsely accuse her grandfather of embezzling the grain and fodder.
They jointly memorialized the Emperor, asking for her grandfather to be punished for dereliction of duty.
The Emperor, being benevolent and recognizing her grandfather’s lifelong service to the country, allowed her grandfather to atone for his mistakes by returning home to reflect in seclusion.
Her brother, Gu Yefeng, also went to seek help from someone for her affairs.
And all this information was brought to her by Nan Rongqi.
From then on, no one cared about her.
“Miss Gu, please rest assured, this Prince promises you today, and will surely fulfill it in the future.”
Nan Rongqi’s hand rested on Gu Qianying’s shoulder. He originally wanted to hold her hand but changed his mind at the last moment.
Even so, the possessiveness in his eyes could not be hidden.
No rush.
There will be plenty of time. Gu Qianying would eventually be his.
And Old General Gu’s military tally would also eventually be his!
Gu Qianying pretended to be flustered and hesitant, lacking a backbone, yet still maintaining the demeanor of a reserved noble lady.
“In that case, this subject can only beg Crown Prince to uphold justice for this subject. This subject is deeply grateful and will surely repay Crown Prince’s kindness in the future.”
Gu Qianying felt extremely disgusted, but on the surface, she had to bow to Nan Rongqi to express her gratitude, subtly avoiding him.
At the same time, she turned around to face Nan Rongqi.
Nan Rongqi did not notice Gu Qianying’s abnormality. Instead, he was overjoyed by Gu Qianying’s words.
As the teacher said!
Taking advantage of the crisis is far inferior to offering help in times of need!
“This is excellent, excellent!”
At this point, Nan Rongqi turned and had his people deliver all the good things he had brought.
A bed made of high-grade pear wood replaced Nangong Mo’s chaise lounge.
The surrounding decorations and the table were removed.
Nan Rongqi had his people redecorate, and in less than a moment, a simple maiden’s chamber appeared.
Nan Rongqi looked at all of this with great satisfaction, and with a touch of narcissism, he smiled at Gu Qianying: “Miss Gu will be this Prince’s Crown Princess from now on, and this Prince will naturally not mistreat you. This is a small token of this Prince’s affection. Does Miss Gu like it?”
“This subject likes it very much.” Gu Qianying smiled charmingly at Nan Rongqi.
Nan Rongqi was momentarily stunned. He quickly took a step closer to her and said with a slightly ethereal tone: “As long as you like it, you can rest assured. This Prince will not let you stay here for long. Soon, this Prince will take you out.”
“This subject believes Crown Prince. This subject will await good news.”
Gu Qianying bowed to Nan Rongqi again, but as she stood up, her foot twisted, and her body tilted, appearing to stumble.
“Oh dear!”
Nan Rongqi, with quick eyes and hands, immediately supported her: “Qianying, are you alright?”
Gu Qianying’s cheeks flushed, and she pushed Nan Rongqi away: “This subject is fine, thank you, Crown Prince.”
“It’s good that you’re fine, it’s good that you’re fine.” Nan Rongqi wanted to get closer, but then he heard Gu Qianying touch her head and say softly: “Crown Prince, this subject’s head feels a bit dizzy, perhaps I didn’t rest well…”
Seeing this, Nan Rongqi felt a little disappointed, but he also knew that haste makes waste. He said gently: “In that case, Qianying should rest well. This Prince will take his leave now.”
“This subject respectfully sees off Crown Prince.”
As Gu Qianying watched Nan Rongqi leave, her eyes were filled with deep affection, which Nan Rongqi found very pleasing.
However, as Nan Rongqi’s receding back gradually disappeared, Gu Qianying’s eyes changed.
She brushed away the colorless and odorless poisonous powder attached to her arm, which could cause poisoning within a few breaths, and a faint smile curled her lips.
Next, the real show was about to begin!